7-Day Mt. Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour Via the Machame Route

Strike off the Kilimanjaro summit from your bucket list with this exciting trip up the mountain, led by professional mountaineering guides. Tackle the scenic Machame Route that requires no technical climbing knowledge but is challenging enough to pump up your adrenalin.
Cities: Arusha, Moshi, Machame, Mt. Kilimanjaro
Type: Trekking, Climbing, Camping

Grade

Challenging

Accommodation

Hotel/Tents

Transportation

Jeep/ Walking

Start Point

International Air Ticket

NOT Included

Of the seven main routes used to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is the most popular path. It is the route of choice for many people because it provides impressive views and a variety of habitats. About 50% of all climbers, and most seasoned climbers, choose the Machame route. It is also one of the cheaper routes due to its easy access and shorter itinerary.

The Machame route is also known as the Whiskey route, given its reputation for being a tough climb, in contrast to the easier Marangu route, which is known as the Coca Cola route. Unlike the gradual incline and hut accomodations found on the Marangu Route, the climbers on Machame hike steeper trails, for longer distances, while sleeping in tents.

Trekking Distance: ~11 km/7 miles
Trekking time: 5 – 6 hours
Terrain: Rainforest
Elevation gain: 1 ,200 m/3,935 ft
• Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins from Arusha/Moshi, where your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you by private car to the entrance gate in Machame town. It is ~1 hour’s drive from Moshi/~2 hours’ drive from Arusha.
• On arrival at the Machame gate (1,640 meters), meet your porters and cook who will help carry your trekking kits and other camping necessities, up the mountain. Meanwhile, the guide will help you complete the formalities for the Kilimanjaro trekking permit.
• Once the gear is packed and the permits obtained, you will begin your trek through the lush rainforest that covers the south-west side of the mountain.
• Continue the day’s long trek for about 5 - 6 hours. Packed lunch will be served en route, along with 2-3 litres of bottled water for the day.
• The porters and cook would have already set up camp, by the time you reach the forest border from where the low alpine zone takes over the landscape.
Dinner and overnight at Machame Camp in tents. (2,835 meters)

Day 2

Machame Camp (2,835 meters) to Shira Camp (3,850 meters)

Trekking Distance: ~5 km/3 miles
Trekking time: 4 – 6 hours
Terrain: Rainforest - Low Alpine
Elevation gain: 840 m/2,760 ft
• In the morning, prepare for your trek to Shira Camp (3,850 m).
• Today’s journey through the Low Alpine zone characterised by moorland and grassland would be steeper in comparison to what you had on day 1. Hence, the 4 – 6 hours trekking time for a 5 km trail. Carry enough drinking water as on a hot day, the exposed hike can be tiring.
• As you gain altitude, watch the vegetation changing as trees become shorter and finally give way to alpine plants. There are several viewpoints on the route to enjoy the panorama of the plains and forests below. Have lunch en route, at one of these spots.
• Continue your trek up the Shira Plateau to reach Shira Camp by late afternoon and enjoy your first views of Kibo to the North-West and Mount Meru to the East.
Relax, have dinner and overnight at the camp.

Trekking Distance: ~11 km/7 miles
Trekking time: 5 – 7 hours
Terrain: Low Alpine – High Alpine
Elevation gain: 690 m/2,264 ft (110 m at Barranco Camp)
• Get ready to face a long and challenging day. We will head east from the camp, off Shira Plateau through a landscape decorated by Senecios flowers, until the junction where Shira and Lemosho Routes meet.
• Faster climbers can head up to the Lava Tower and Shark’s Tooth Formation (4,600 m) and reach there by early afternoon.
• Continue through the barren landscape, with lunch en route, and take a quick descent to the scenic Barranco Camp (3,900 m).
• Although you would camp at the same elevation as you started from, this day’s trek is highly important in acclimatisation. “Climb High, Sleep Low” is the golden rule followed here, which will help to acclimatize properly.
• Dinner and overnight at Barranco Camp.

Day 4

Barranco Camp (3,900 meters) - Karanga Valley (4,200 meters)

Trekking Distance: ~7 km/4.3 miles
Trekking time: 2 – 4 hours
Terrain: High Alpine
Elevation gain: 250 m/820 ft
• Today’s trek begins with a steep climb up the Barranco Wall, a 257 m rock face that requires basic scrambling skills.
• At the top, take a short descent into the Karanga Valley. Camp on the ridge just above the valley for better acclimatization.
• OPTIONAL: For those more experienced or if you choose to, we can continue the trek along the Southern Circuit until it joins the Mweka Trail up to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). This would reduce your Kilimanjaro Climbing tour to 6 days and extend day 4 trek to 8 – 10 hours.
• 7-day trekkers will rest and overnight at Karanga Camp, which not only reduces the day’s trekking time, but is beneficial for acclimatisation as well.

Day 5

Karanga Valley (4,200 m) – Barafu Camp (4,680 m)

Trekking Distance: ~6 km/3.7 miles
Trekking time: 3 – 5 hours
Terrain: High Alpine
Elevation gain: 400 m/1,320 ft
• Right after breakfast at the camp, pack up and begin your hike to Barafu Camp.
• On the way, you can see several of Kibo’s glaciers and pass the junction connecting the descending Mweka route. Hike by Heim, Kersten, and Decken glaciers.
• Reach Barafu Camp by afternoon, where you can gaze at stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
• At camp, you will be asked to have an early dinner and take rest, as day 5 starts at mid-night.
• Overnight at Barafu Camp.

Trekking Distance: ~4.5 km /3 miles ascent + 11km / 7-mile descent
Trekking time: 6 – 8 hours (Summit) + 5 – 8 hours (Mweka)
Terrain: Glacial
Elevation gain: 1,295 m/ 4,240 ft
Elevation Loss: 2,795 m/9,170 ft
• Awake before midnight and prepare for the highlight of your tour – it’s Summit day. Have some tea and biscuits before heading out into the dark. Make sure you’ve got all the essentials – warm clothes, headlamp, water and snacks.
• Depart at midnight sharp. The trek up Kibo is steep, but the trick is to keep your moment going. The guide will be by your side to guide every step of the way.
• With only your headlamps and the experience guide to show you the way, it will take about 6 – 8 hours to reach the crater rim called Stella Point. By the time you reach, dawn will be approaching as well.
• About 60% climbers decide to stop their climb at Stella point, but with a bit of mental and physical strength you can make the last stretch to the summit. From Stella Point, there’s another 156 m of altitude to Uhuru Peak – the roof of Africa.
• Take a break at Stella Point, enjoying the view and reflecting on what you have achieved. This is sure to give you a burst of energy to make that final climb to the summit. After all, it is an easier gradual climb from Stella to Uhuru. However, if you experience any mountain sickness, we must descend immediately.
• After summiting the mountain, return to Stella Point for a break and photo session.
• Then, begin the demanding 11 km descent to Mweka Camp. Your joints will take up most of the challenge. It is recommended to use trekking poles and even gaiters to avoid glacial scree getting into your boots.
• Stop for breakfast at Barafu camp and continue down the Mweka route. In 3 – 5 hours, you will reach Mweka Camp in the upper rainforest zone. Enjoy the increased oxygen and moisture levels in the air.
• Get some well-deserved sleep to celebrate your achievement.

Day 7

Mweka Camp (3,100 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)

Trekking Distance: ~9 km /5.5 miles
Trekking time: 3 – 5 hours
Terrain: Rainforest
Elevation Loss: 1,600 m/5,250 ft
• It’s your final day of trekking on the Machame route. After your final camp breakfast, begin the descent through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. It is beautiful trail that bids you goodbye but be careful not to slip on the slopes.
• Upon reaching the Mweka Gate, you will be presented with official certificates – green for those who reached Stella Point and gold for those who summited Uhuru Peak. You can also buy some souvenirs like t-shirts, if interested.
• Vehicles will be waiting at the lower station of the gate to transfer you back to Arusha/ Moshi. Bid farewell to your trekking crew and get on the road to a comfortable bed and a hot shower.
End of tour.

International flights.
• Visas.
• Travel insurance.
• Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic beverages.
• Additional personal equipment.
• Gratuities.
• Additional activities after the climb, such as safaris, waterfall visit, massage etc.
• Anything not mentioned in “What’s Included”
Additional Information:
• Weight limit for duffel bags to be carried by porter – 15 kgs/32 lbs. (Any extra luggage can be left safely at your hotel in Moshi/Arusha.
• Trekking equipment can also be rented on-site. The guide can help arrange this.
What to bring: (This is general checklist; the guide can help you with a full list of necessary items to pack)
• International health card with immunizations (Yellow fever)
• Travel and medical insurance
• Duffel bag for camping gear and clothing needed on the mountain.
• Day pack large enough to carry water bottles, lunch pack, snacks, raincoat and warm clothing, camera etc.
• Water bottles – two or three (total capacity at least 4 litres)
• Head lamp, with spare batteries and extra light bulb
• Dark sunglasses with securing strap
• Personal medical kit

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